Toronto to Kissimmee drive trip

Old Jan 16th, 2012, 07:06 AM
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Toronto to Kissimmee drive trip

Expert help needed planning this drive. The facts:
1. Leaving Toronto either evening of March 8, or very early morning March 9
2. Travelling with 3 adults, and 4 children ages 6-10 including a special needs 6 year old, 3. Will need to stop every 2 hours to change drivers, kids’ toilet stops and special needs requirements
4. Can arrive Kissimmee either Saturday March 10 or Sunday 11
5. Must be back in Toronto by Monday March 19 evening
6. The planned route is through Buffalo then I-79 and I-77

The questions:
Is the Buffalo route the best choice?
Obviously this trip cannot be done as a one continuous drive, so we need suggestions for locations to stay overnight, if possible in low rise kid friendly accommodations where the kids can play outside.
Also as we need to stop every 2 hours are there any places to visit for approx 45 minutes so the kids can get a break and blow off steam.
We are hoping to make the drive part of the vacation not an ordeal for everyone.
any suggestions appreciated
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Old Jan 16th, 2012, 11:52 AM
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I've driven back and forth to Florida dozen times, with two passengers who started out in their late 70s - early 8-s and evolved into late 80s - early 90s.

We always went from Toronto to Windsor-Detroit, south through Toledo and down I-75.

The reason for this route was to avoid mountains in the northern part of the trip, which can become a serious problem is there is snow.

I would return to Florida to bring them back after themiddle of April, and by then, we would often take your proposed route, or come up even farther east, just for the fun of it.

Our downward schedule (doesn't matter what the actual days were)was:
Monday: leave Milton about 9:30 am, stop at first McDonald's on 401 for breakfast. )Don't ask why)

Cross border at Windsor, then quick and easy turn onto Interstate 75. No need to drive through much of Detroit, except on this highway.

Lunch, always, at a Denny's on Eagle Road in suburban Toledo.

I-75 from there to Kentucky is smooth, safe, flat...

Stop in Monroe Ohio, north of Cincinatti, in time for early even dinner at a Perkins.

Tuesday leave Monroe, drive onInterstate through Cincinatti, into Kentucky, and have breakfast a bit later at a Bob Evans. From there we'd drive to somewhere south of Atlanta. Stayed i n Macon, stayed in Valdosta, stayed in lake City.

Wednesday we would drive farther south, endingup in St. Petersburg, or Fort Myers, as the case may be.

The trip was not stressful, we stopped lots for meals and snacks and gas and just leg-stretching. But we did not spend time driving around cities looking at the sights, either.

And we never had snowtroubles, usually leaving Toronto between Christmas and New Years.
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Old Jan 16th, 2012, 06:29 PM
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I would take the Sarnia-Port Huron crossing over the Windsor Detroit one.
I too have done this drive many many times. I 75 is the way to go.
I would plan on 2 1/2 days to Kissimee. Most of the mid priced hotels will have indoor pools. If you stop at the State Welcome Centres as you enter they usually have coupon books for hotels and will often help you book ahead.
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Old Jan 16th, 2012, 08:37 PM
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I totally agree. Down the I 75 all the way is the safest and best way to go. there is a book called 'Along the I75' which I think is a must for anyone drivng that route. It lists points of interest, restaurants, and accommodations, and oh so many bits of interest you would never have known. I would not drive this route without the book. It makes the drive so much fun.
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Old Jan 17th, 2012, 02:20 AM
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classic.mapquest.com directions Toronto ON to Orlando FL

1200 miles this route straightest shot less traffic via ATL
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Old Jan 17th, 2012, 05:01 AM
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MapQuest must have magic knowledge of the weather in the mountains in early March.
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Old Jan 19th, 2012, 04:42 AM
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Thanks Bak,
I have been trying to convince my daughter I-75 is a better choice. The book you recommend Kodi sounds like a great idea, any thoughts on where to buy it?
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Old Jan 19th, 2012, 05:29 AM
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I disagree... driving around Canada for an extra 6 - 8 hours only increases the chances for running into bad weather...

Toronto to Pittsburg through Buffalo is no more than 5 hours total on a clear day... after Pittsburg there is less chance of weather in March when you reach south Pennsylvania...

If its nasty on your departure day, its also likely to be bad as you drive west towards Detroit...

You have added 3 to 4 hours to your trip... all in the bad weather zone...
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